Elin Hilderbrand is an American New York Times bestselling writer of romance novels. She was born in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and later attended John Hopkins University. She also has a degree from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
Elin Hilderbrand is well known for her novels set on and around Nantucket Island. She is called the “queen of beach read”. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her three children and husband Chip Cunningham, who she divorced in 2015 after sixteen years of marriage.
Many of Hilderbrand’s novels are set on Nantucket because she was first inspired by trips she took there with her three children. Nantucket Island is an island off the shore of Massachusetts. Although its small size, it is known for being a place where wealthy people go to summer.
10 Best Elin Hilderbrand Books
| Image | Product | Features | More Info |
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 | 1. 28 Summers |
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 | 2. Summer of ’69 |
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 | 3. Winter Solstice (Winter Street, #4) |
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 | 4. Winter in Paradise (Paradise, #1) |
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 | 5. Golden Girl |
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 | 6. The Perfect Couple |
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 | 7. The Identicals |
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 | 8. Silver Girl |
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 | 9. Here’s to Us |
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 | 10. The Blue Bistro |
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Elin Hilderbrand All Books In Order
- The Beach Club (2000)
- Nantucket Nights (2002)
- Summer People (2003)
- The Blue Bistro (2005)
- The Love Season (2006)
- Barefoot (2007)
- A Summer Affair (2008)
- The Castaways (2009)
- The Island (2010)
- Silver Girl (2011)
- Summerland (2012)
- The Surfing Lesson (2013)
- Beautiful Day (2013)
- The Tailgate (2014)
- The Matchmaker (2014)
- Winter Street (2014)
- The Rumor (2015)
- Winter Stroll (2015)
- Christmas on Nantucket (2015)
- Winter Storms (2016)
- Here’s to Us (2016)
- Winter Solstice (2017)
- The Identicals (2017)
- The Perfect Couple (2018)
- Welcome to Paradise (2018)
- Winter in Paradise (2018)
- Summer of ’69 (2019)
- What Happens in Paradise (2019)
- 28 Summers (2020)
- Troubles in Paradise (2020)
- Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank (2021)
- Golden Girl (2021)
- The Sixth Wedding (2021)
Elin Hilderbrand Series Books In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket Books In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Books In Order
- Winter Street (2014)
- Winter Stroll (2015)
- Winter Storms (2016)
- Winter Solstice (2017)
Elin Hilderbrand’s Paradise Books In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s 28 Summers Books In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s Short Stories/Novellas In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s Anthologies In Order
Elin Hilderbrand’s Standalone Novels In Order
- The Beach Club (2000)
- Nantucket Nights (2002)
- Summer People (2003)
- The Blue Bistro (2005)
- The Love Season (2006)
- Barefoot (2007)
- The Island (2010)
- Silver Girl (2011)
- Summerland (2012)
- Beautiful Day (2013)
- The Matchmaker (2014)
- The Rumor (2015)
- Here’s to Us (2016)
- The Identicals (2017)
- Welcome to Paradise (2018)
- Summer of ’69 (2019)
- Golden Girl (2021)
Authors You May Also Like:
- Nancy Thayer
- Jennifer Weiner
- Karen White
Elin Hilderbrand Best Books
1. 28 Summers
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Mallory creates her pair of annual secret lovers—Mallory Blessing and Jake McCloud.
Mallory, the story’s protagonist, has just inherited a beachfront cottage on Nantucket from her aunt.
She agrees to host her brother Cooper’s bachelor party over Labor Day weekend. There she meets Jake McCloud, her brother’s college friend. The two form a bond that will persevere through marriage and children until Mallory learns she’s dying. After that, they agree to meet every summer for one week to enjoy each other company for years until they can’t keep up anymore.
28 Summers is for those who love something sweet and just a little cheesy. The book follows the relationship of two characters through 25 years with glimpses into the history and pop culture. It is incredibly nostalgic at times but remains attractive because of the time jumps.
It is a quick read perfect for a break from more serious books or if someone wants something light and fun.
2. Summer of ’69
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In 1969, the Levin family experienced some tumultuous changes. The oldest sister, Blair, is unable to travel to Nantucket because she’s pregnant with twins. Middle sister Kirby is caught up in the vortex of civil rights protests. The only son Tiger is a soldier fighting in Vietnam. Thirteen-year-old Jessie feels like an only child. As the summer heats up, Teddy Kennedy sinks a car in Chappaquiddick, a man flies to the moon, and Jessie experiences some sinking and flying herself.
The novel follows the lives of the Levin/Foley family as they experience this defining period. Each family member is on the precipice of change, and they all expose their deepest secrets to the light of day.
“Summer of ’69” opens with a jarring prologue, setting the summer months ahead. It is followed by alternating chapters from each family member, ending in a fitting twist that reveals all.
I would suggest this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a contemporary feel. It’s timeless and will be relevant for many generations to come!
However, this book is not suitable for young kids because of its sexual content, drug use, and heavy drinking.
3. Winter Solstice (Winter Street, #4)
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Elin Hilderbrand’s final release in the Quinn family series, “Winter Solstice,” is a beautiful story about finding your way home.
Winter Solstice is set in Nantucket, where Quinn families are celebrating the holidays together.
Bart comes home safe after spending time as a prisoner of war in Afghanistan, but he has PTSD, and no one seems to know what to do about it.
The family has had their fair share of heartbreaks and struggles, but they finally feel whole again.
At this point, Kelley has cancer. The rest of the Quinn family find themselves faced with challenges that need to be addressed to make it through this difficult time.
The characters are lovely, and all have their unique voice, which makes for a great read. In addition, Hilderbrand beautifully illustrates how important it is to appreciate each moment–the good ones and the bad–because you never know when your day will be over.
The many twists and turns this novel takes make for a very emotional read that pulls at your heartstrings!
I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fantastic piece of fiction that holds your attention.
4. Winter in Paradise (Paradise, #1)
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Winter in Paradise is the first book in the Paradise series by author Elin Hilderbrand.
It follows Irene Steele, whose husband has just died. She flies to St. John to investigate his death.
Upon arriving, she’d yet again made another shocking discovery- her dead husband had a secret second family with another woman. As she investigates the circumstances of her husband’s death, she also has to confront the fact that her husband kept this secret, and she’s still in love with him.
This book follows the interconnected stories of these characters as they each try to find peace in their lives during one chaotic winter that changes everything for them.
Hilderbrand’s usual blend of romance, humor, and drama is on full display in “Winter in Paradise.” The characters are well-drawn and relatable, which keeps the story moving when the plot begins to flag.
This novel is perfect for Elin Hilderbrand fans looking for light romance novels featuring flawed but lovable characters.
5. Golden Girl
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Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, Golden Girl, is about Vivian, who is killed in a hit-and-run accident near her home on Nantucket. She ascends to the Beyond, where she’s assigned to a person named Martha. Martha allows Vivian to watch what happens below for one last summer. This story is told via several perspectives in the present and past.
This novel interestingly combines the mystery of who killed Vivian, which is investigated by Nantucket Police Chief Ed Kapenash (a repeat character), and it’s about overcoming grief, confronting the truth, and acknowledging the past the title comes in.
I like the insights into Vivi; you realize she’s been too busy with her career to notice what’s going on in her children’s lives. I also like their points of view and understanding just how damaged they are to a lesser or greater degree, and all are struggling with issues. The family dynamics are good and not just in Vivi’s immediate
However, on the negative side, it’s prolonged in places, and I find multiple points of view aren’t entirely needed.
6. The Perfect Couple
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The Perfect Couple is a novel by Elin Hilderbrand about a wedding that is canceled when the bride finds her maid of honor has been found dead just before the ceremony.
Everyone at the wedding party is suddenly a suspect, and Chief of Police Ed Kapenash investigates to find out what happened. As he interviews everyone involved in the wedding, he discovers that every couple has secrets and no couple is perfect.
The investigation finally leads to a horrifying discovery that no one could have imagined. The mystery deepens with many witnesses with their agendas until you find yourself rooting for a murderer.
Elin Hilderband has done it again! The Perfect Couple is an assortment of complex and intriguing characters with their own stories to tell.
7. The Identicals
Look no further than Elin Hilderbrand’s The Identicals if you’re looking for a summer read with plenty of drama.
This New York Times bestseller tells the story of two estranged twin sisters who are forced to reunite after their father dies. The sisters have been living entirely different lives after their parents divoice and settled on opposite coasts.
Harper has been struggling for years, while Tabitha is a single mother trying to move on from her past.
The story follows the sisters through their new experiences dealing with each other and being thrown together so suddenly after many years of being apart. It shows that family can be complicated, even if you’re related by blood.
It isn’t easy for them to get past the years of resentment and hurt that has built up between them, but they eventually manage to find some common ground. With plenty of gossip and family dynamics, this novel is sure to keep you entertained!
8. Silver Girl
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Silver Girl is a book about two women forced to come together in the summer when their best friend’s father dies.
It isn’t easy for them to get past the years of resentment and hurt that has built up between them, but they eventually manage to find some common ground. With plenty of gossip and family dynamics, this novel is sure to keep you entertained!
Elin’s books are about family drama. Her themes tend to revolve around family drama.
Silver Girl is another novel by Elin Hilderbrand. Despite having many fans, Silver Girl also has mixed reviews. Many readers enjoy the variety of themes within the book, including gossip and relationships between friends and families. However, some people are not as pleased with how slow-paced the novel is. Overall, Silver Girl may be a good read if you are interested in learning more about these characters’ lives!
9. Here’s to Us
After Deacon Thorpe dies, his three wives and children come together at the family summer house to say their goodbyes.
When they arrive, they find out that the house is about to be foreclosed on and they must either come together or risk losing it.
The children of Deacon Thorpe each have their own individual issues that come into play as everyone struggles to maintain some dignity and control of their own lives.
Together everyone manages to overcome resentment and create a place for themselves in the future.
10. The Blue Bistro
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In Here’s to Us, Elin Hilderbrand delivers her most powerfully emotional book yet–a novel about family, home, heartbreak, and the ways in which we shape the people we love. This story of three generations will resonate with anyone who’s ever had a family—who’s ever been lost or found, or at one moment filled with hope and at another heartbroken.